In a very different move, the Assam government has asked the officials to ensure liquor bottles are fixed with a label highlighting “No Drinking while Driving”.
In this regard, Assam Transport, Excise minister Parimal Suklabaidya has written to the Commissioner & Secretary of the Assam Excise Department to ensure that all liquor bottles of every category in Assam be affixed with a label highlighting the ‘No Drinking while Driving’ message to sensitise all alcohol consumers regarding the ill effects of drinking & driving.
Earlier in November last year, cabinet minister Parimal Suklabaidya informed that the sale of liquor in Assam will soon rise amid discussions over the distribution of new liquor licenses.
Addressing the media, Suklabaidya said that this measure was being taken with the view to stop the smuggling and consumption of illegal liquor from Arunachal Pradesh.
The cabinet minister for fishery, excise, environment and forest called for people to consume good quality liquor instead of the local ‘Sulai’ which sometimes ends in hazards.
He said, “Only 20 advertisements for liquor licenses have come out during the tenure of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. Of the 20, we have already provided licenses for 10 liquor establishments.”
“Revenue collected from liquor sales in the state was Rs 3,000 crore in the last fiscal,” added Parimal Suklabaidya.
Meanwhile, revenue worth crores of rupees were generated through liquor sale in Assam’s Guwahati city during the New year. Liquor worth Rs 4.80 crore was sold on 31st December 2022 and Rs 3.21 crore on 1st January 2023 in Kamrup Metropolitan District alone.
